Harmor

Yeah, while I cannot remember ever watching a tennis game from start to finish irl, there is supposedly a game on Steam right now that is supposedly pretty good. The game is called Tennis Elbow 2013 and from what a heard a bunch of folks said is the best tennis game out there. I can't really confirm or deny it right now but it does in fact seem very decent (it is on Steam) and I will eventually check it out. But lets just say there are a few more sports games here I do care for - lets say Don Bradman Cricker seems decent (once again I do not watch this sport irl xD) and a few others too. Still not 100% sure about Rugby League Live 3 yet tho...

Ouch. Let me put it this way - I really dunno much about a Rugby game but I do like sports games (all kinds really, and I am usually not even fan of the sports irl to still like a sports gamel). Do you think I could still somehow play and enjoy the game when in actual fact I don't really know about experts? I learned this game is more about arcade than be a sim game and I usually ofc like more realistic and sim gaming more. Still, with what I mentioned about the game as is, I wonder if the game would still be somewhat ok for me here. Oh and btw - are there multiple seasons or does it end after a year?

Yeah, have the game too since a while. It has it's quirks and should perhaps not be out of early access already because it sure has issues still, but I also really like it. They're still quite dedicated to the game so in the end things should be okay.

No kidding - cause the Steam Xmas Sale is about to start. Might even be today actually, but don't quote me on that

Yeah sure, there are always sales - it's why this doesn't really bother me. I just basically wanted to point out that for Germany, Steam in 95% of the cases isn't cheaper here than elsewhere. Except sales obviously - and I can tell you that right now I wouldn't be able to tell you when I paid full price for a game north of 45€ the last time.

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Blackman" data-cite="Blackman" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="28397" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>It's logical you can't resell. The money you would gain from reselling would make the games a little cheaper, but Steam games are already cheaper in the first place, so what's the point.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> That is unfortunately not correct in my case. I am German, and far as prices here go, we usually pay 1:1 to the $ price (very few exceptions) in €. That aside, there would of course be no point to sell a game right away - but later eventually. But also like I said, I wouldn't do it anyways and it doesn't bother me, but just had to point this out. Steam games for us are not cheaper than elsewhere unless there is a sale. It's why I check around official key sellers (greenmangaming.com, or humble store etc) for offers too cause I usually get a better deal there.</p>

<p>Yeah I think Steam got some hacker issues a few years back, but I sorta managed to forget details - I think however things got resolved with everyone who was involved in the end. </p><p> </p><p> There is one thing one must know about Steam - digital rights management. When you buy a game on there, there is NO reselling it. Once a game is in your library it stays there forever, not sure of course if that is important to you Timber. Obviously none of us long-time Steam users here care for that but just saying. Steam also functions as copy protection (and the only one) for most of the games on the platform, unless you count in UbiSoft games that are also on Steam and need Ubi's launcher on top of it.</p><p> </p><p> And like Swanton said its just a launcher and uses pretty much no system resources at all. You have your library, the shop and forums for every single game mainly (and an area where you can personalize your account a little) and that is that basically. I guess a computer would have to be pre-WinXP to have issues to be honest.</p><p> </p><p> There is a ton of payment options Steam offers on an aside, don't worry you will somehow get rid of your money. There are also often enough sales to the point where buying a game for full price (unless you REALLY want that new game NOW!!!) is kinda unneccessary. </p><p> </p><p> I mean I can of course not claim I speak for everybody here but I definitely have games on there I haven't even touched once so far - granted those are also from bundles and what not but still, sales you know <img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/redface.png.900245280682ef18c5d82399a93c5827.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> ...</p><p> </p><p> But yah, I like Steam. Hell, I am out of room to store anymore games in boxes since years (I am getting old and never sold a single game ^^), so being able to download/install a game I own on Steam is very handy.</p>

It's what I do with Divinity. I'm in a coop campaign with a buddy, around 70 hours in with old characters and having a blast. While playing we never really think about other characters or so but just play on. Ignorance much?

Absolutely nothing wrong with that. I've got to admit though I have not played any of the 'Binding...' games yet. From videos etc though they do look fun indeed.

Because it's that time of the year and I've just been wondering what those Game Awards were all about, why not hand out our or at least my own awards for 2014 to those games that really mattered to me. So here's my personal list of favorite games for the year... Game of the year Divinity: Original Sin: My absolute favorite of the year. Old school through and through, no hand holding of the player and equipped with what to me is the best combat mechanics for an RPG in years. If that wasn't enough, Larian let you coop the entire single player campaign with a friend - like I wrote to begin with, my absolute favorite of the year. 1st/3rd Person Action Middle-Earth: Shadow of Mordor: Now, for all intents and purposes one could say all it does is copy games like Batman or Assassins Creed, but it comes with a twist that to me makes it stand out. Ranking up Orcs, the entire nemesis system that makes sure you're in a more or less personalized gameworld, has just been so much fun to me I couldn't put the game down. Indie of the year This war of mine: On the finish line ... two weeks ago when I didn't own This war of mine just yet, Invisible Inc (I know it's still ea) would have been here. But I can't - This war of mine just raced past for me with the way it tells it's story. Gritty survival gameplay meets storytelling and lets you care for everything you do in the game, because everything has consequences - I think a mature gamer owes himself to play this game because it's an experience! Sports game Fifa 15: Well, an EA game - I'm almost kind of sorry but I have to say far as sports games go, it's my favorite. It is not that they 'NAILED IT' or anything, in actual fact it's just one of those baby steps EA makes with their yearly iterations but fact of the matter is, I've had a lot of fun playing this and that to me is what matters! Strategy Age of Wonders III: After Rome II was such a massive disappointment for me, AoE III thankfully made this year in strategy worthwhile. Ten years after the first AoE games Triumph Studios brought back their loved franchise and it hasn't lost it's appeal to me. Sure things are different meanwhile, it's all shiny and 3D now, but they managed to port the AoE series well into the modern age. Another game I couldn't put down for quite some time this year hence it definitely has my vote. These games had me glued to the PC when I played them - but there are a few more, and they're deffo more than just honorable mention that must be named on my list of top games for 2014: There's the aforementioned Invisible Inc, still early access but coming along nicely with a mean (not unfair tho!) difficulty and very nice stealth based gameplay. Highly recommended! Dead State, another turn based combat game, left ea a while ago. You're taking care of a bunch of people living in an old school during the zombie apocalypse, and it's your task to go loot for resources on the map while also making sure the school you're in remains intact. I've had quite some fun with this game so far, hence it must be mentioned here! Styx: Master of shadows - you're a mean bastard of a Goblin on a mission, and you won't allow anybody to stop you til your mission is complete. The levels are quite huge and let you explore a lot while allowing you to carve your own way through them which is a lot of fun. I am definitely going back to playing the game one, or two more, times because it's just so much fun playing that evil little Goblin as he climbs and hides and kills his way through the levels. Another stealth based game (cause you really should not get into open combat a whole lot xD) that really convinced me in 2014. And last but not least, Xenonauts - a spiritual successor to the original XCom game from the 90s. It is vastly different to Firaxis' XCom (which I really like too, but can't be mentioned here any further cause it's not from this year - the addon is very nice though ) in many ways. Where Firaxis went the 'modern' way with their game, the devs of Xenonauts (Goldhawk Interactive) not once hide the fact their game just had to be as close to the original as possible. And I think they succeeded - if you played the games from the mid 90s it's all there, multiple bases across the globe, the way combat works, base upgrades - this IS the original XCom game re-released in 2014 and I can only say well done! Okay and there we go, these are basically the 'new' games I've played over the year that had me fully entertained (or still have depending). There are ofc games from previous years I still go back to every now and then but they can't be in this list (I'm sorry ^^) so that's that. Would be interesting to read what others have to say about their year in gaming 2014 ...

True, Spec Ops: The line is indeed very well done - but personally like you said I find the message in This war of mine stronger. In my case, main reason is one is not a soldier. And then there is ofc personal taste, I really dig survival games done well, not a huge fan of shooters. Otherwise I ofc agree, Spec Ops is very well done far as anti-war goes, no doubt. I haven't played Valiant Hearts btw - mainly cause it requires Ubi's launcher even through Steam xD - but I should perhaps make an exception?

Yep, I do it exactly like you. It's how I managed to get to 404 games on Steam within 6? ... 7? years for far less than you would think I paid for the total. Absolutely works for me!

Steam sale so far mainly told me I have far too many games (damn sales - nice circle >_<), but okay I just had to get 'This war of mine' after watching Lets Plays and I can just say it's bloody amazing. I'd go and call it the one and only anti-war game that is even out, the survival gameplay is great and I just can't get enough of it. Additionally, their idea to not make the game itself static but add lots of variables so you can start a new game that'll be quite different from the one you played before is absolutely great. Oh, and the game is certainly not easy - still have to get further than day 24 or so xD... Got Planetary Annihilation for 5 and a bit (cause good buddy has it) as well as the Commander in Chief update for Saint's Row 4 for 2,99€ and that'll be it for this sale. Bit shocked almost Alien Isolation is already on sale, but that's not exactly my type of thing to begin with but still, that's quite something.

While your second mention is unknown to me (I am reading the original is from 1954, that correct) and I also dunno the new one, I know a little about Xenonauts. Lets just say if you liked the original XCom games from the 1990s you won't be disappointed at all.

So far I've clocked around 65 hours in Fifa 15 (PC) and while it does have a few issues (collisions being one of the more annoying ones because they simply put are buggy) I like the game. Granted, I haven't played any Fifa version in years so of course this is all rather shiny and new to me, but using the proper sliders (and deffo slow gameplay for realism sakes) makes this game fun to me. Yes, call me a snob but I'm coaching FC Bayern ^^. What can you do when you're a fan of the club right? Ribery retired after my second season with them (dammit) and I managed to secure the services of Memphis Depay - he is doing great for me so far (third year however is just starting). In season two I managed to completely screw up my CL quarterfinals vs AS Rome with a 1-1 at Roma and a 1-2 home loss >_< and now after three games in the new season's CL, I'm at 1-1-1 in what I'd call a group of death (Tottenham, Celtic and FC Porto) - I had an insane amount of ball possession vs Celtic but somehow only managed a 1-1 tie, beat Porto 2-0 and the Hotspurs parked the buss and I failed to at least get even losing 0-1. Lovely ... but also really enjoying the game as I said. Proper sliders, including injuries (up to 65 tbh) and ignoring a few issues makes the game rather enjoyable. And you totally have to manually fix the micro stuttering on PC with this http://www.incgamers.com/2014/09/fifa-15-pc-smooth-60fps-with-amd-and-nvidia-guide and it has me now playing without any issues at at least constant 60 fps. Verdict: Fun game for sure - but make no mistake, it's quite obvious that Fifa is displaying a more or less perfect showing of the game of football. Even Lionel Messi said a while ago that his guy in the game is actually better than he is in real life in comparison. I don't mind that tho ^^ and this prolly goes for every sports game out there.

So last night I finally decided to get Styx: Master of shadows as it is on new release sale for 23,99€ (will be regular 29,99 come the 13th). Being a fan of stealth games it had interested me since I learned of the game a while back and it certainly didn't disappoint. I played for two hours so far and I'm REALLY into it. Sure it has it's quirks (AI could be better and combat is a tad meh) but far as stealthing goes, it's amazing and blows the new Thief game out of the water (not that this is very difficult I guess xD). The levels are huge (no open world gaming btw) and offer various approaches to advancing. Just don't bother fighting more than 2 guys at once - this'll just get you killed. But with the Goblin being a scheming bastard, you have other ways to ruin a guard's day ^^... I also really dig the cynical anti-hero bad guy you play as in the game, Styx - supposedly this game shares lore with 'Of Orcs and Men' (200 years in the past of that story which tells me Goblins live a very long time o.O). Not really being a fan of that game, the story in Master of shadows however is quite nice with enough twists and turns. Overall definitely a recommendation for all ppl who like stealth based games and currently my #1 replacing Mark of the Ninja on that list.

I just checked that site out and renting is mentioned - so far so good but how do you 'rent' a game that requires Steam???

Strongly considering the game atm - I don't mind when games are sorta kinda like this or that game if they're good and I like the middle earth setting anyways. But since I just paid around 50€ for Fifa 15 on PC I'll wait a little - it's not like I am short on games xD...

o.O ... I bought a gaming laptop some 5 years ago back when wife and I had just got together, weren't married and didn't live together yet - and it still runs everything I throw at it perfectly fine. Certainly enough I'll get a proper desktop again next year, but far as running games is concerned I'm still good atm. I did get Endless Legend a while back and like much of what I've seen, but find the combat system lacking. I know, 4x games aren't particularly known for indepth strategic battles, but to me it's a little barebones in EL. Though that may have changed since I haven't played in a few months now.

Well that probably not, no. But it has been 4 years since I bought my last Fifa (PC) and so far I'm really enjoying the game. Hilarious was when last year they said Fifa 14 won't get the new ignite engine for PC cause not enough gamers can run it properly, now Fifa 15 for PC HAS the engine ... and it runs just fine on my meanwhile 5 year old laptop. Riiiiight...

I'd reply with a bit of a different answer - the first Metro game got a far bigger overhaul than the second one (simply and only because the second one is newer and nothing more), so between the initial and now the new edition of the first game is a bigger difference than there is between Last Light's initial release and the redux version. I have both original games and while right now I consider the first game's redux, I think the second one isn't really needed cause nothing much was changed in comparison. Both games are quite good though (old and new), so far as playing goes, can deffo recommend both games. And if you don't have the games yet, might as well get the new versions of both.

I just bought the new game from Klei (Don't Starve, Mark of the Ninja) called Invisible, Inc - and hot-damn the game is not only already loads of fun to play (its early access) but also incredibly challenging. In a nutshell, it's turn based espionage, stealing and looting in corporate buildings while constantly being under pressure from an ever raising alarm count and patrolling guards. It's a roguelike, so don't expect much hand holding, but the level of polish is already quite nice. The challenge is insane alright, but I keep going back for more. Another wonderful Klei game I can only recommend.

Fully agree with you guys on Original Sin, I completely love the game. I play it coop with a buddy, 28 hours in right now and still quite at the beginning of the game. The game is freaking HUGE - just adds to how much I dig the game right now. In actual fact, it's one of the finest RPGs I have played in a long, long time.

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Fleisch" data-cite="Fleisch" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="28397" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I've been playing Fallen Enchantress Legendary Heroes recently. Not a bad game to be honest, especially as I didn't pay much for it due to it being in one of the Steam sales. Any one else played this?</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I have played the game a lot, bought almost all DLC (missing the leader pack only, will get it before I play it again eventually) and I really like the game, prolly prefere Age of Wonders 3 a little bit but FE isn't far behind. They're both prolly not really to be called 4x, but it's this mix I prefer over true 4x games like Endless Space because in those, I find the combat really lackluster. </p><p> </p><p> Long story short, Fallen Enchantress as well as AoW are prolly among my top 5 games in recent years. Oh yeah and almost forgot, if you don't mind the rather dated graphics, the old Age of Wonders games are also absolutely amazing - I got them during the Humble spring sale and wanted to slap myself for totally ignoring the series back when they first came out. Better late than never I guess though, right? ^^</p>

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Jaysin" data-cite="Jaysin" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="28397" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Injustice is the newest Mortal Kombat, but with DC characters. It's fun, but I'm also a Mortal Kombat die hard.<p> </p><p> *Edit*</p><p> </p><p> I have a question of my own, I'm planning at building a desktop pc at some point in the future and thought about just grabbing games during Steam sales even if my lap top can't play them. If I do that, they're licensed to my Steam account not my laptop correct? I know that probably sounds like a dumb question, but I barely use my Steam account since my laptop sucks.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Yes, they're licensed to your Steam account - some games even offer cloud saves which means that should you change systems, your savegame won't be bust as it will just load them from the cloud once you install the game on your new PC.</p>